Portable laparoscope system

ABSTRACT

A portable laparoscope is disclosed. In implementations, the portable laparoscope includes a housing and an elongated tube coupled to the housing. A lighting source and a camera are disposed proximate to an end of the elongated tube opposite the housing. The camera is configured to capture an image in a viewing area that is illuminated by light provided by the lighting source. The portable laparoscope includes an image display apparatus configured to display the images acquired by the camera and/or to transmit the images to a remote display device. The housing may be configured to hold and position an insufflator.

BACKGROUND

Medical professionals employ laparoscopes to perform minimally invasivesurgery on a patient's abdominal cavity for diagnostic and treatmentpurposes. Generally, laparoscopes comprise an instrument configured topass through a small incision (e.g., in the abdominal wall) and captureimages (e.g., video) of areas within a patient. The captured images arenormally displayed by large monitors that are positioned proximate tothe laparoscopic procedure area (e.g., suspended from the ceiling of theoperating room around the operating table). During use, laparoscopesrequire a myriad of associated equipment, such as power sources,insufflators and so on, which are coupled to the laparoscope via awiring/tube harness, and so forth. Consequently, laparoscopes areconfined to use in dedicated surgical environments, such as alaparoscopic operating room in a hospital.

SUMMARY

A portable laparoscope is disclosed. The portable laparoscope is capableof providing laparoscopic imaging functionality to medical personnel inunconventional environments (e.g., environments other than a dedicatedlaparoscopic operating room, including environments such as but notnecessarily limited to: rural areas, combat zones, and so on). Inimplementations, the portable laparoscope includes a housing and anelongated tube coupled to the housing. A lighting source and an imagecapture device are disposed proximate to an end of the elongated tubeopposite the housing. The image capture device is configured to capturean image in a viewing area that is illuminated by light provided by thelighting source. The portable laparoscope includes an image displayapparatus configured to display the images acquired by the image capturedevice and/or to transmit the images to a remote display device. Theportable laparoscope may be configured to position and hold aninsufflator.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

DRAWINGS

The Detailed Description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances inthe description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example portable laparoscopein accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic isometric view illustrating a portablelaparoscope used in a non-dedicated surgical environment in accordancewith example implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic isometric view of the portable laparoscopeillustrated in FIG. 2, where a light source and a camera are disposedproximate to an end of an elongated tube of the portable laparoscope.

FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic isometric view illustrating a portablelaparoscope configured with a flip screen display device in accordancewith example implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a diagrammatic isometric view illustrating a portablelaparoscope configured to employ a mobile device for display of imagesin accordance with example implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C is a diagrammatic isometric view illustrating a portablelaparoscope including a display device configured to articulate toprovide multiple viewing angles in accordance with exampleimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4D is a diagrammatic isometric view illustrating a portablelaparoscope including a fixed display device in accordance with exampleimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4E is a diagrammatic isometric view illustrating a portablelaparoscope coupled with a detachable display device in accordance withexample implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4F is a partial diagrammatic isometric view illustrating an end ofan elongated tube of a portable laparoscope, where a light source and acamera array is disposed at the end of the elongated tube in accordancewith example implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4G is a diagrammatic view illustrating a portable laparoscopeincluding a housing configured with a display device and a handle toassist with operating the portable laparoscope in accordance withexample implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic isometric view of a portable laparoscope asused in a surgical environment, where the portable laparoscope includesa gas cartridge, a trocar-hookup, and a trocar in accordance withexample implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the portable laparoscopeillustrated in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Laparoscopes are generally used to perform minimally invasive surgeries.Laparoscopes employ a variety of detached equipment such as powersources, insufflators, monitors, and so on, which are coupled to thelaparoscope via a wiring/tube harness, or the like. For example,laparoscopic equipment is generally connected to a bank of large displayscreens arranged within a dedicated operating room in order to provide aphysician with as large and as detailed a view of a patient's internalorgans as possible. Consequently, laparoscopes are very expensive,cumbersome and time consuming to set-up. Thus, laparoscopes have beenconfined to use in dedicated surgical environments such as alaparoscopic operating room in a hospital, surgical center, or the like.

In many instances, access to a dedicated surgical environment can bedifficult or even impossible, especially when multiple patients must beevaluated and/or treated in a short span of time, such as during a masscasualty event. For example, in the case of an individual who has beensubjected to multiple traumatic injuries, there may be a high risk ofinternal bleeding. Instant triage evaluation of this type of polytraumapatient in the emergency room itself may be difficult, compounded by thefact that diagnosing internal bleeding is very time sensitive in orderto provide effective intervention. Although a technique such as FocusedAssessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) can provide someinformation, it lacks the ability to fully visualize internal organs inan ambulatory setting, which can help significantly in triagingpatients. Further, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), diagnosing theonset of internal bleeding or other internal maladies is oftencomplicated because polytraumatic patients are difficult to move orimmobile. Thus, in both triage and ICU settings, imaging devices such asComputed Tomography (CT) devices or Magnetic Resonance Imagining (MRI)devices are not feasible solutions, especially when patients arehemodynamically stable and cannot be moved and such equipment isunavailable. With abdominal trauma, the use of CT with contrast may bepreferred. As discussed, neither a triage nor an ICU setting lendsitself to CT scanning due to a critical condition of patients, lack ofpatient mobility, and/or time constraints.

Accordingly, a portable laparoscope is disclosed. In one or moreimplementations, the portable laparoscope includes a housing and anelongated tube coupled to the housing. The portable laparoscope can beconfigured to support an insufflator. A lighting source and an imagecapture device (e.g., a camera) are disposed proximate to an end of theelongated tube opposite the housing. The camera is configured to capturean image in a viewing area that is illuminated by light provided by thelighting source. The portable laparoscope includes an image displayapparatus configured to display the images acquired by the camera and/orto transmit the images to a remote display device. In one example, theimage display apparatus may comprise a display such as a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD) for displaying captured images and/or captured video of apatient's internals, such as an abdominal cavity, and so forth. Inanother example, the image display apparatus includes a transmitterdisposed in the housing that is configured to transmit images and/orvideo captured by the camera to a receiver. The receiver is configuredto receive the images and/or video for display by a display devicecommunicatively coupled to the receiver.

The portable laparoscope is capable of providing laparoscopic imagingfunctionality to medical personnel in unconventional environments (e.g.,environments other than a dedicated laparoscopic operating room). Thus,the portable laparoscope may be configured to be used in a variety ofenvironments. For example, the portable laparoscope may be used inremote areas, such as, but not necessarily limited to: military fieldhospitals or rural areas, in a hospital environment outside of theoperating room, or in areas where sophisticated and expensive medicalequipment is generally not available. Further, the portable laparoscopemay be used in applications other than surgical intervention, such asfor surgical evaluation outside of an operating room.

The portable laparoscope may be used for determining the presence and/orextent of abdominal trauma. This information can then be used todetermine an appropriate course of action in treatment, makingconservative management of abdominal injury possible by providinginformation more accurate than that provided by a CT scan. Further,because portable laparoscopy can provide direct visualization of anabdominal cavity, resolution may not significantly influence diagnosticfidelity. However, using a portable laparoscope for abdominal trauma isprovided by way of example only and is not meant to be restrictive ofthe present disclosure. Thus, a portable laparoscope can also be usedfor ischemic bowel, which may otherwise be difficult to diagnose, andoften frustrates radiographic evaluation. Portable laparoscopy at abedside in the ICU may dramatically ease diagnosis of ischemic bowelwith much higher fidelity. In addition to the triage bay and ICU,portable laparoscopy may also be performed in multiple locations outsideof the operating room. For example, most medical clinics have a cleanspace to perform procedures such as lumbar puncture or colonoscopy. Suchrooms may also be utilized for laparoscopic evaluation using a portablelaparoscope in accordance with the present disclosure. In the followingdiscussion, an example portable laparoscope is described.

Example Environment

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected,” “coupled,” “operatively coupled,” and/or “communicativelycoupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled tothe other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or“directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elementspresent. Additionally, like numbers refer to like elements throughout.Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed,which is illustrated in the accompanying figures.

FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate an example portable laparoscope 100. Asshown, the portable laparoscope 100 includes a housing 102 and anelongated tube 104 coupled to the housing 102. The housing can beconfigured to support an insufflator 106. A light source 108 and acamera 110 are disposed proximate to a first end 112 of the elongatedtube 104 coupled to the housing 102. The housing 102 is also configuredto hold image display apparatus 114, that can be configured to displaythe images acquired by the camera 110 and/or transmit the images to aremote display device. A power source 116 may also be disposed in thehousing 102 to provide sufficient operational power to the electronicdevices disposed in the portable laparoscope 100 (e.g., light source108, camera 110, image display apparatus 114, etc.). The housing 102 maybe fabricated of a medical grade material such as titanium. However,titanium is provided by way of example only, and is not meant to berestrictive of the disclosure. Thus, other materials medical gradematerials may be used to construct the housing 102, the elongated tube104, and so forth.

The elongated tube 104 may be configured in a variety of ways. As shown,the elongated tube 104 includes a first end 112 and a second end 118.The first end 112 is defined by the end of the elongated tube 104 distalfrom the housing 102. In implementations, a light source 108 and acamera 110 are disposed of the elongated tube 104 proximate to the firstend 112. In some implementations, the light source 108 and/or the camera110 can be disposed of the elongated tube 104 proximate to the secondend 118. In this type of configuration, lenses, fiber optic cables, andthe like can be used to direct light to and from the light source 108and/or the camera 110 along the length of the elongated tube 104. Thelight source 108 and/or the camera 110 can also be positioned within thehousing 102. A window formed of generally transparent material isdisposed at the first end 112 to provide a protective cover for thelight source 108 and the camera 110 and other equipment within theelongated tube 104. In embodiments, the generally transparent materialmay be comprised of quartz, or the like.

The second end 118 of the elongated tube 104 is coupled to the housing102 using, for example, a threaded fitting. The fitting can be used toprovide articulation between the housing 102 and the elongated tube 104.For example, the fitting can be implemented as a joint. The second end118 may also be welded to or fastened to the threaded fitting. In animplementation, the elongated tube 104 may comprise an approximatelyfourteen inch (14″) (355.6 millimeters) long tube that is tenmillimeters (10 mm) (0.39 inches) in diameter. The elongated tube 104may also be comprised of a rigid material (e.g., titanium), a flexiblematerial (e.g., medical nylon), or other medical grade materials. Insome implementations, the elongated tube 104 can be configured to extendand retract. For example, the elongated tube 104 can be configured totelescope, and/or to retract into the housing 102.

The insufflator 106 may be used to supply a gas (e.g., CO₂) to theabdominal cavity to lift abdominal integument from the internal organsproximate to the first end 112 of the elongated tube 104. Theinsufflator 106 may be implemented in a variety of ways. For example,the insufflator may comprise a cartridge-based insufflator, a gascylinder-based insufflator, an infusion balloon-based insufflator, orother medically suitable portable insufflators. The insufflator 106 canbe disposed or housed within the housing 102.

The light source 108 may assume a variety of configurations. Forexample, the light source 108 may be comprised of a light emitting diode(LED), a laser diode, quantum dots, multiple light emitting diodes,multiple laser diodes, or the like. In an implementation, the lightsource 108 is disposed at the first end 112 proximate to a camera 110,and the power source 116 is coupled (e.g., wired configuration, etc.) tothe light source 108 to provide sufficient operational power to thelight source 108. When the portable laparoscope 100 is in use, the lightsource 108 is configured to emit a light to illuminate an area within afield of view of the camera 110.

The camera 110 may be configured in a variety of ways. The camera 110may, for example, be comprised of: a pin hole camera, a charge coupleddevice (CCD) camera, a fiber optic coupled camera, a video camera, andso forth. The camera 110 is configured to capture an image in thecamera's field of view. The camera 110 is disposed proximate to thefirst end 112 and coupled to the power source 116. In an implementation,the camera 110 may be part of a group of multiple cameras 110 disposedproximate to the first end 112 and coupled to the power source 116. Asillustrated in FIG. 4F, multiple cameras 110 can be disposed atdifferent locations of the first end 112 to capture multiple images fromdifferent angles. The multiple cameras 110 may also be arranged in sucha configuration that provides a stereoscopic view of the captured imageswhen displayed.

The camera 110 is configured to communicate with image display apparatus114. For example, one or more cameras 110 may be communicatively coupledto an electronic device (e.g. a display 122, etc.) via a wiredconfiguration, a fiber optic communication, a transmitter/receiver link,or the like. In an implementation, the camera 110 is configured totransfer the captured image data to an image display apparatus 122disposed of the housing 102.

The image display apparatus 114 may assume a wide variety ofconfigurations, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A through 4E. The image displayapparatus 114 is configured to display images captured by cameras 110and/or to transmit the images to a remote display device. For example,the image display apparatus 114 may include, but is not necessarilylimited to: a transmitter 120 configured to transmit captured images; adisplay 122, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device or aprojection device; and so forth. The camera 110 and the image displayapparatus 114 are communicatively coupled together via a wiredconfiguration, a wireless configuration, a fiber optic configuration, orthe like.

In an implementation, the image display apparatus 114 may be configuredas a display 122 disposed of (e.g., housed within) the housing 102. Forexample, the display 122 may be a flip-screen display device, asillustrated in FIG. 4A. As shown, the flip-screen display device may beconfigured to pivot from a substantially folded position fortransportation and storage to a substantially upright position forviewing purposes. In another example, the display 122 may be coupled tothe elongated tube 104 (shown in FIGS. 4C, 4D, and 4G). For instance,the housing 102 may include an aperture to allow viewing of the displayportion of the display 122. It is contemplated that the display 122 maybe a display device of varying dimensions. For example, the display 122may be comprised of an approximately 2.5 inch (6.35 centimeter) diagonalLCD device, an approximately 5.8 inch (14.73 centimeters) diagonal LCDdevice, and so forth. The display 122 may present the captured image(s)as individual images for a predetermined amount of time. The capturedimages may also be presented as a sequence of images (e.g., video). Inanother implementation, the display 122 may comprise a projectiondevice, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) projector, or the like.The housing 102 may be configured to house the projection device. In animplementation, the projection device is configured to project images asa virtual screen to a viewing area. The viewing area may include, but isnot necessarily limited to: a projection screen, a wall, or anotherprojection viewing medium.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image display apparatus 114 may comprise atransmitter 120. The transmitter 120 may be configured in a variety ofways. For example, the transmitter 120 may be a Radio Frequency (RF)transmitter configured to transmit one or more images captured by camera110 via a RF network (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.). In another example,the transmitter 120 may comprise a laser diode configured to transmitone or more image(s) via a free-space optical network. The transmitter120 may be housed within the housing 102 and coupled to power source116.

The transmitter 120 can be configured to transmit one or more capturedimage(s) to a remote display device. The remote display device may beconfigured in a variety of ways. In an implementation, the remotedisplay device may be comprised of an image display device 124. Theimage display device 124 may be a monitor (e.g., LCD device, HighDefinition (HD) display device, etc.) communicatively coupled (e.g.,wired configuration, wireless configuration, etc.) to a receiver 126. Areceiver 126 is configured to receive the one or more image(s)transmitted by the transmitter 120 and to provide the one or moreimage(s) to the image display device 124. The receiver 126 may beimplemented in a number of ways. For example, the receiver 126 may be aRF receiver configured to receive images from a RF transmitter. Inanother example, the receiver 126 may be an avalanche photodiodeconfigured to receive images from a laser diode.

In an implementation, the receiver 126 is configured to receive theimage(s) transmitted by the transmitter 120 and to furnish the images tothe image display device 124 via a wired configuration. For example, thereceiver 126 and image display device 124 may be located in a separatearea (e.g., building, room, etc.) from the transmitter 120 and portablelaparoscope 100.

It is contemplated that a mobile device 128 may be used to view theimage(s) furnished by camera 110. In an implementation, mobile device128 may be coupled to elongated tube 104 via a wired configuration asillustrated in FIG. 4B. In another implementation, the transmitter 120may be configured to transmit the captured image(s) to a detachablemobile device 128 via a network 130 as illustrated in FIG. 4E. Themobile device 128 may be configured in a variety of ways. For instance,the mobile device 128 may be configured as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop computing device, and so forth. The mobile device 128may include a display 132. In an implementation, the display 132 may beintegral with the mobile device 128. In another implementation, thedisplay 132 may be coupled to the mobile device 128 via a wiredconfiguration. For example, the transmitter 120 may transmit thecaptured image(s) to a mobile phone 128 via the network 130. The mobilephone 128 furnishes the captured image(s) to the display 132 fordisplay. In another example, the transmitter 120 may transmit thecaptured image(s) to a laptop computer 128 via the network 130. Thelaptop 128 furnishes the captured image(s) to the display 132 fordisplay.

The network 130 is representative of a variety of differentcommunication pathways and network connections that may be employed,individually or in combinations, to communicate among the components ofthe portable laparoscope 100. Further, network 130 is representative ofa variety of different types of networks and connections that arecontemplated including, but not necessarily limited to: the Internet; anintranet; a satellite network; a cellular network; a mobile datanetwork; wired and/or wireless connections; and so forth.

Examples of wireless networks include, but are not necessarily limitedto: a free-space optical transmission network, a wireless LED network,as well as networks configured for communications according to: one ormore standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE), such as 802.11 or 802.16 (Wi-Max) standards; Wi-Fi standardspromulgated by the Wi-Fi Alliance; Bluetooth standards promulgated bythe Bluetooth Special Interest Group; and so on. Wired communicationsare also contemplated such as through universal serial bus (USB),Ethernet, serial connections, and so forth. As illustrated in FIG. 1,the portable laparoscope 100 includes a power source 116. In animplementation, the power source 116 may comprise a battery that isconfigured to provide sufficient operational power to the variouselectronic components associated with or coupled to the portablelaparoscope 100. For instance, in an implementation, the batteryprovides sufficient operational power to operate the image displayapparatus 114, the insufflator 106, the camera 110, and the light source108. It is contemplated that sufficient operational power may be definedas each electronic device powered by the battery receiving enough powerto be fully operational according to the specifications of each devicefor a definite amount of time.

In FIG. 1, the laparoscope 100 is depicted as including a processor 134and a memory 136. The processor 134 provides processing functionalityfor the portable laparoscope 100 and may include any number ofprocessors, micro-controllers, or other processing systems and residentor external memory for storing data and other information accessed orgenerated by portable laparoscope 100. The processor 134 is configuredto execute one or more software program(s). The processor 134 is notlimited by the materials from which it is formed or the processingmechanisms employed therein and, as such, may be implemented viasemiconductor(s) and/or transistors (e.g., electronic IntegratedCircuits (ICs)), and so forth.

The memory 136 is an example of tangible computer-readable media thatprovides storage functionality to store various data associated with theoperation of the portable laparoscope 100, such as the software programand code segments mentioned above, or other data to instruct theprocessor 134 and other elements of the portable laparoscope 100 toperform the steps described herein. Although a single memory 136 isshown, a wide variety of types and combinations of memory may beemployed. The memory 136 may be integral with the processor 134,stand-alone memory, or a combination of both. The memory may include,for example, removable and non-removable memory elements such as RandomAccess Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Flash memory (e.g., an SDCard, a mini-SD card, a micro-SD Card), magnetic memory, optical memory,USB memory devices, and so forth.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the housing 102 includes a memory interface 138.The memory interface 138 provides removable storage functionality toportable laparoscope 100. For instance, the memory interface 138 isconfigured to detect when a removable memory element has been positionedor inserted into memory interface 138. The memory interface 138 isconfigured to receive the image(s) and/or the video from the camera 110and furnish the image(s) and/or the video to the removable memoryelement for storage. The image(s) may be transferred via a protocolimplemented in software, hardware, and/or firmware. The removable memoryelements may include, but are not necessarily limited to: SD Cards,mini-SD cards, micro-SD Cards, USB drives, or the like. In thisconfiguration, processor 134 may be housed in the housing 102 as astandalone processor, a processor integral with the camera 110, or aprocessor integral with the memory interface 138. The processor 134 mayprovide processing functionality to the portable laparoscope 100, thecamera 110, and/or the memory interface 138.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate example implementations of portablelaparoscopes in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 2 depicts aportable laparoscope 100 used in a non-dedicated surgical environment.For instance, medical personnel (not shown) may use laparoscope 100 toperform a laparoscopic procedure on a patient. Medical personnel mayinsert end 112 through an incision made in patient. As shown in FIG. 3,end 112 includes light source 108 and camera 110. As described above,the light source will provide illumination to the area within thecamera's 110 field of view. The camera 110 furnishes one or moreimage(s) to the image display apparatus 114 (depicted as display 122 inFIGS. 2 and 3) for medical personnel to view. In another implementation,as illustrated in FIG. 4C, portable laparoscope 100 may be manipulatedby medical personnel to provide further camera 110 views and so forth.Moreover, portable laparoscope 100 may implemented with ergonomicdesigns. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 4G, a handle 142 may becoupled to display 122.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the insufflator 106 comprises a portablegas supply 144 coupled to a gas tube 140. The portable gas supply 144may comprise a portable gas cartridge, a portable gas tank, or the like.A gas regulator 146 is disposed between the portable gas supply 144 andthe gas tube 140. The gas regulator 146 is configured to interface withthe portable gas supply 144 and to regulate the gas flow released intothe gas tube 140 from the portable gas supply 144. In an implementation,the gas regulator 146 may be comprised of a high pressure gas regulatoror the like. For example, a high pressure gas regulator may include aFISHERBRAND Multistage Cylinder Regulator, or the like. In animplementation, the gas regulator 146 may be configured to reduce theflow rate of the gas to low variable pressures. In a furtherimplementation, the gas regulator 146 may be coupled, or connected, to aflow meter (not shown) to monitor the flow rate of the insufflator 106.The flow meter may comprise a Smith Flowmeter Regulator, or the like. Inone implementation, the gas tube 140 may be disposed, or housed, withinthe elongated tube 104. In another implementation, the gas tube 140 maybe a standalone gas tube 140.

In an implementation, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the laparoscope100 may also include a trocar hook-up 148 and a trocar 150. The trocarhook-up 148 provides an interface with the gas tube 140 proximate to thefirst end 112 of the elongated tube 104. The trocar 150 is configured tomake an incision in a patient and is also coupled proximate to theelongated tube 104 and the trocar hook-up 148. Once an incision has beencreated, the first end 112 of the elongated tube 104 may then beinserted through the incision to allow the camera 110 to provide imageryof the body cavity. It is contemplated that the trocar 150 may be anytrocar known in the art and may be interchangeable with other types oftrocars. In a further implementation, as illustrated in FIG. 6, thelight source 108 and the camera 110 may be disposed proximate to thetrocar 150. For instance, the trocar 150 may include the light source108 and the camera 110 and provide illumination functionality and imagecapture functionality once the trocar 150 has been inserted through theincision in the patient.

CONCLUSION

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or process operations, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A portable laparoscope comprising: an elongatedtube having a first end a second end, the first end of the elongatedtube configured for at least partial insertion into a body cavity, theelongated tube having an outside diameter of ten millimeters (10 mm) orless; a housing for supporting the elongated tube, the second end of theelongated tube coupled to the housing; an image capture device at thefirst end of the elongated tube, the image capture device configured tocapture an image within a field of view of the image capture device, theimage capture device including at least one of a pin hole camera, acharge coupled device (CCD) camera, or a video camera; a light source atthe first end of the elongated tube proximate to the image capturedevice, the light source configured to emit a light to an area withinthe field of view of the image capture device; a transparent window atthe first end of the elongated tube forming a protective cover for theimage capture device and the light source; and an image displayapparatus within the housing communicatively coupled with the imagecapture device via a wired connection through the elongated tube, theimage display apparatus comprising a transmitter configured to transmitan image of a body cavity captured by the image capture device to aremote display device.
 22. The portable laparoscope as recited in claim21, wherein the remote display device is a high definition (HD) displaydevice.
 23. The portable laparoscope as recited in claim 21, wherein thefirst end of the elongated tube is configured to articulate.
 24. Theportable laparoscope as recited in claim 21, wherein the housingcomprises a handle.
 25. The portable laparoscope as recited in claim 21,wherein the transparent window comprises a quartz.
 26. The portablelaparoscope as recited in claim 21, wherein the elongated tube comprisesa medical grade material.
 27. The portable laparoscope as recited inclaim 21, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode(LED).
 28. A portable laparoscope comprising: an elongated tube having afirst end a second end, the first end of the elongated tube configuredfor at least partial insertion into a body cavity, the elongated tubehaving an outside diameter of ten millimeters (10 mm) or less; a housingfor supporting the elongated tube, the second end of the elongated tubecoupled to the housing; an image capture device at the first end of theelongated tube, the image capture device configured to capture an imagewithin a field of view of the image capture device, the image capturedevice including at least one of a pin hole camera, a charge coupleddevice (CCD) camera, or a video camera; a light source at the first endof the elongated tube proximate to the image capture device, the lightsource configured to emit a light to an area within the field of view ofthe image capture device; a transparent window at the first end of theelongated tube forming a protective cover for the image capture deviceand the light source; and an image display apparatus within the housingcommunicatively coupled with the image capture device via a wiredconnection through the elongated tube, the image display apparatus fordisplaying an image of a body cavity captured by the image capturedevice and transmitted to the image display apparatus via the wiredconnection.
 29. The portable laparoscope as recited in claim 28, whereinthe image display apparatus comprises a transmitter configured totransmit the image of the body cavity captured by the image capturedevice to a remote display device.
 30. The portable laparoscope asrecited in claim 29, wherein the remote display device is a highdefinition (HD) display device.
 31. The portable laparoscope as recitedin claim 28, wherein the first end of the elongated tube is configuredto articulate.
 32. The portable laparoscope as recited in claim 28,wherein the housing comprises a handle.
 33. The portable laparoscope asrecited in claim 28, wherein the transparent window comprises a quartz.34. The portable laparoscope as recited in claim 28, wherein theelongated tube comprises a medical grade material.
 35. The portablelaparoscope as recited in claim 28, wherein the light source comprises alight emitting diode (LED).
 36. A portable laparoscope comprising: anelongated tube having a first end a second end, the first end of theelongated tube configured for at least partial insertion into a bodycavity, the elongated tube having an outside diameter of ten millimeters(10 mm) or less; a housing for supporting the elongated tube, the secondend of the elongated tube coupled to the housing; an image capturedevice at the first end of the elongated tube, the image capture deviceconfigured to capture an image within a field of view of the imagecapture device, the image capture device including at least one of a pinhole camera, a charge coupled device (CCD) camera, or a video camera; alight source at the first end of the elongated tube proximate to theimage capture device, the light source configured to emit a light to anarea within the field of view of the image capture device, the lightsource comprising a light emitting diode (LED); a transparent window atthe first end of the elongated tube forming a protective cover for theimage capture device and the light source; and an image displayapparatus within the housing communicatively coupled with the imagecapture device via a wired connection through the elongated tube, theimage display apparatus comprising a transmitter configured to transmitan image of a body cavity captured by the image capture device to a highdefinition (HD) display device.
 37. The portable laparoscope as recitedin claim 36, wherein the first end of the elongated tube is configuredto articulate.
 38. The portable laparoscope as recited in claim 36,wherein the housing comprises a handle.
 39. The portable laparoscope asrecited in claim 36, wherein the transparent window comprises a quartz.40. The portable laparoscope as recited in claim 36, wherein theelongated tube comprises a medical grade material.